According to BLS, the number of jobs in human resources will grow at an increasing rate over the decade. Plus, the median salary is above the national average of various jobs. The average salary of a human resource manager is $103,000 – which is more than the national average of all jobs.
Human resources, thus, is a lucrative career option for anyone looking to start a career in this domain. In fact, at higher levels of a human resources career ladder, the payout is even better, making the field more lucrative. U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics reports top10% of human resources professionals earned $201,380 annually. HR specialists and Compensation and Benefits managers earned $60,880 and $121,010 respectively.
Apart from these, human resources professionals who specialize in labor relations and organizational development are paid handsomely.
What does it take to start a career in human resources?
Human resources require professionals to be good at communication skills, interpersonal skills, and administrative tasks. Therefore, employers are open to graduates open to hiring graduates from any background.
However, if you have made your mind to get into human resources you should go for a four-year degree in human resources. It is a preferred course for anyone looking to get into human resources.
If you have a background in other subjects, you are still good to go for human resources. As employers are open to hiring graduates from any background as long as you have the skills required to perform well in your position.
To progress in an HR career, it is important to learn continuously. Presently, it is even more important for those looking to get a foot in the door as human resources have undergone a dramatic shift due to digitization and forward-looking talent management strategies that demand HR practitioners to be strategic thinkers than mere administrators.
Many employers also prefer entry-level HR certifications over a degree. So you will have a much better chance to get your foot in the door if you have a certification rather than a degree.
What are the job prospects in human resources
Opportunities for growth in human resources is enormous. Here are some statistics to prove the point. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics,
- The number of jobs for the position of Human Resources Managers is expected to increase at 7%
- Jobs for the role of Human Resources Specialists and Training and Development Managers will grow at 5% and 8% respectively.
How to advance in an HR career?
Taking HR certifications and courses are the best way to advance in an HR career. They offer the necessary insights and skills required to move up the career ladder. PayScale reports employers to prefer to hire certified HR practitioners over non-certified professionals. further, professionals who have earned certifications have better chances of promotion and salary hike than their non-certified counterparts.
Furthermore, as employers are moving toward strategic talent management, certifications are have become important for professionals to prove their suitability for the evolved HR role. As contrary to the previously held responsibilities of HR, talent management requires HR practitioners to be analytical, data-driven, and result-oriented in their talent management and other human resources-related approaches.
Therefore, talent management certifications and other HR certifications are increasingly becoming important.
